Cultural Arrogance and How it Destroys our Goals: Part 1

06 Aug 2026 8 Comments

by Dr. John Persico Jr. in Uncategorized Tags: , , , ,

I wrote the following essay in 2013.  Reading it again thirteen years later, I was surprised by how much of its central message still feels relevant.  I have left the essay largely as originally written, making only minor editorial corrections.

Introduction:

Before you start reading my blog this week, you should understand one thing.  I am smarter than you are, stronger than you are, faster than you are, more disciplined than you are, more educated than you are, wealthier than you are and healthier than you are.

Paradoxically, I am also more humble than you are, more loving than you are, more compassionate than you are, have more friends than you, am better liked than you and have more love for others than you.  Believe me; it is truly hard to be humble when I am SOOOOO superior to you.

If you can stop gagging, you will notice in the first paragraph that my superiorities have to do with having more worldly or physical things than you.  In the second paragraph, I allude to having more of the virtuous or spiritual things than you.  Putting things and virtues together is the paradox.  Can I really be more of everything than you are as well as being more humble, more loving and more compassionate?  What is wrong with this idea?  Look closely, and you will notice the problem.  It is not wealth or health or things, and it is not spiritual gifts.  The problem is “More.”   We want more and more and more.  It does not matter whether it is more health or more compassion.  More for the sake of more becomes our guiding principle.  When I have “More” than you, I am better than you.  Culturally, spiritually, or physically, I measure myself by the “more” I have than others have.  I have arrived when I have more.  More money, more clothes, more compassion, more humility becomes our goal in life.  When do we have enough?

In this blog and my next two blogs, I want to look at three areas where “more” causes or leads to substantial problems for us.  I refer to our quest for “more” in each of these areas as an evil of arrogance.  The three arrogancies that lead to disasters for us are:  Cultural Arrogance, Religious Arrogance and Educational Arrogance.  In my blog this week, I would like to address the subject of Cultural Arrogance.  Next week, I will address Religious Arrogance and the following week the subject of Educational Arrogance.  

Let’s start by defining the term arrogance.

: An insulting way of thinking or behaving that comes from believing that you are better, smarter, or more important than other people

Thus, Cultural Arrogance would imply that one believes or acts as though their culture was better than another culture.  E.g. Americans are better than Europeans or Japanese are superior to Chinese.   Here in the USA, we tend to believe that the “American Way of Life” is superior to other ways of pursuing our stated goals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  We often act as though Americans only included people from the fifty states.  It would surprise many Americans to know that Mexicans and Canadians and most indigenous people also live in America.  In fact, unless we distinguish North America from South America and Central America, we must also include people from about 22 other countries as Americans.   Time for a caveat!

This blog is going to be about the Cultural Arrogance that I specifically see in the USA.  This is not to say that Cultural Arrogance is not a universal trait.  Sadly, it is and does exist in probably every country and every culture in the world.  Each group thinks their group is better than the other group.  However, since the USA is one of the world’s most powerful nations, our attitudes (for better or worse) have far more impact on the world than say the attitudes and biases of people from Belize or Switzerland.  (Perhaps I am being arrogant in assuming this?)

The Cultural Arrogance of the USA may impact the peace and stability of the entire world.  My goal in sharing the negative issues that arise from this arrogance lies in the simple fact that all change starts with awareness.  Awareness precedes choice, choice precedes action and action precedes change.  Unless we are aware of the attitudes, prejudices, biases and sometime simple minded assumptions we make about other countries and other cultures, we are doomed to keep making major strategic and tactical mistakes when it comes to dealing politically and also militarily with other nations.   Two examples will illustrate the negative impacts of Cultural Arrogance.

The first is funny and trivial.  Some people scoff at the use of chop sticks when going to a Chinese restaurant.  I have heard it said that “the Chinese must be really primitive to use such devices.”  “How could you eat steak with chopsticks.”  What these people ignore is the fact that since ancient times, the Chinese thought meat should be cut up before being served.  Thus, using chopsticks made perfect sense since the meat was already prepared to eat and you did not have to cut it up while eating it.  Basically, Karen and I use chop sticks when eating Chinese food since it is fun whether or not it makes more sense. 

The second example is much more serious and concerns the Vietnam War.  This war was an unmitigated disaster for both the people in the USA and the people in Vietnam.  Part of our premise for the war was that the Vietnamese would go Communist and ally themselves with the Chinese to take over all of Southeast Asia.   The concept of the “domino effect” was endlessly repeated as a justification for this totally unjustified war. 

A few years ago, I watched the documentary “The Fog of War” which was based on a series of interviews with Robert McNamara.  He was Secretary of Defense under Kennedy and Johnson and one of the leading architects of our Vietnamese war strategy.   McNamara was one of the “Brain Trust” that Kennedy appointed to his cabinet based on their accepted intellectual and cognitive abilities.  McNamara was over 80 years old when the “Fog of War” was produced and his comments are made with both the wisdom of age and the advantage of hindsight.  His conclusion was that the war was a total fiasco.  The question which McNamara still could not seem to answer was “Why?”  However, the answer was forthcoming.

McNamara Died Without Finding the Right Equation for the Vietnam War

During McNamara’s meeting with his counterpart in Vietnam, General Vo Nguyen Giap; Giap asked McNamara if he had ever read any Vietnamese History.  McNamara asked why?  To which, Giap replied that if he had, he would have understood that the Vietnamese hated the Chinese and given their history, there is no way they would have allied with the Chinese.  The Communist movement in Vietnam was a national movement for independence and not a movement to dominate Southeast Asia.  Our lack of understanding of the Vietnamese culture led to numerous mistakes in policy and war strategy.

My first professional exposure to the Cultural Arrogance endemic in the USA was in 1981.  I was attending a speech by Dr. Robert Cole at the University of Minnesota sponsored by the Minnesota Society for Training and Development.  Dr. Cole was talking about the Japanese quality effort.  Dr. Cole spent seven years studying blue collar workers in Japan and is the author of numerous books on quality and productivity.  Dr. Cole noted that every major trade, scientific and technical journal published in the USA was reprinted in Japan in Japanese.  He asked how many Japanese trade and technical and scientific journals did we think were reprinted in English and available in the USA?  The answer was ZERO!  That’s right!  Not one Japanese article was reprinted in the USA.  Remember, this was 1981 before most Americans realized that the Japanese were already producing higher quality products in many areas then we were in the USA.  We have been working for 30 years now to catch up but the arrogance that led to our export problems has still not abated.

In 1971, I was in a grocery store in Racine, Wisconsin with a Mexican American friend.  We were waiting in the checkout line and when we finally were being rung up; the cashier said to my friend “Oh, I see you are a Puerto Rican.”  My friend simply replied: “No, I am Mexican American” to which the cashier replied, “Oh well, Mexican, Puerto Rican, it’s all the same.”  Too many people in the USA still assume that “it’s all the same.”  The only measurement that counts is the standards we use in the USA.  Thus, our jury system is better than others, our government system is better than others, our constitution is better than others, our economic system is better than others, our workers are better than others, our culture is better than others.  These attributes are the heart of arrogance.  Americans are exceptional, others are not.

We go into Iraq and Afghanistan and because our democracy is “better than their systems” we are going to stay there until we see that the primitive Arabs are now voting regularly and have all the same benefits we do of a fair and impartial election system.  Ignored are the thousands of lobbyists working daily in the USA to subvert our democratic system or the hundreds of examples of cronyism, nepotism, greed and corruption that plague our political system.

Made in America trumps made in any country in the world except when it comes time to buy products and services as cheaply as we can.  We snap up the latest bargains regardless of where they are made in the world.  We used to say “Jap Crap” but we cannot use such phrases anymore since we are now importing low cost high quality products from over one hundred countries in the world.  We probably don’t have enough slang terms to scorn all the countries we buy from:  Polacks, Japs, Gooks, Slopes, Commies, Frogs, Limeys, Dago’s, that’s about all I can think of.  Only 90 more to go and I can denigrate the entire world import economy.

How do we overcome Cultural Arrogance?  This is a question that should concern each and every person in this country.  It is one thing to be proud of your country.  I have often stated that having visited 33 other countries, (2026, We are now up to 44) I have not found another nation I would want to live in. I am proud of my country and proud of my heritage.  However, remember the admonition: “Pride goeth before a fall.”  Hubris has been the downfall of many great leaders, and it can be the downfall of a country.

“France, and the whole of Europe have a great culture and an amazing history. Most important thing though is that people there know how to live!  In America they’ve forgotten all about it. I’m afraid that the American culture is a disaster.” — Johnny Depp

Depp is a highly popular movie star.  He is known throughout the world, and his movies are viewed by millions.  He has become somewhat of an icon with his wild portrayals of pirates, Native Americans, vampires, and other interesting characters that many mainstream actors would not attempt to portray.   He is a brilliant actor but that does not mean his views are right or that I agree with them.  I used his quote to point out that not everyone thinks the USA has the world’s greatest culture.

“Every aspect of Western culture needs a new code of ethics – a rational ethics – as a precondition of rebirth.”  – Ayn Rand

Ayn Rand is one of the foundational thinkers of the new conservatives in the USA.  A popular intellectual and proponent of individualistic ethics, she has been outspoken in her criticism of big government and centralized government planning.   It is interesting that many of her followers would probably not realize that she was disgusted with Western ethics and had a strong belief in the need for culture change.

“Preservation of one’s own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures.” — Cesar Chavez

Cesar Chavez was an American “Gandhi.”  “Chavez became the best known Latino American civil rights activist, and was strongly supported by the mainstream American labor movement.  His public-relations approach to unionism and aggressive but nonviolent tactics made the farm workers’ struggle a moral cause with nationwide support.” (Wikipedia)  Chavez pursued the idea of respect for others in his strategies to help migrant workers and numerous farm workers achieve decent benefits and wages.  He did not see the need to denigrate other cultures in his efforts to win respect for the predominantly “Latino” farm workers culture.

To Conclude:

We could look at the pros and cons of USA culture through the eyes of thousands of interesting thinkers, intellectuals, celebrities, politicians, radicals, liberals and conservatives.  What would it prove?  Many would strongly support USA culture; some would strongly condemn USA culture.  Whether we support or condemn our culture is really unimportant.  Such a discussion actually misses the key point.  The point is that we can be proud of our culture but also recognize that other people are and have good reason to be proud of their cultures. 

I have been to 49 states and 33 countries and everywhere I have been, I have seen people, attitudes, habits and behaviors that I found admirable.  (2026, It is now all fifty states and 45 countries)  I have never been to a place that I thought had NO redeeming value or that was 100 percent condemnable.  I have found good people everywhere I have been and I have found some bad ones.  We need to be more like the famous commentator Will Rogers but instead of never meeting a person we did not like; we need to be able to say, “I have never met a culture I did not like.”

People can only live fully by helping others to live.  When you give life to friends you truly live.  Cultures can only realize their further richness by honoring other traditions.  And only by respecting natural life can humanity continue to exist.  — Daisaku Ikeda

Time for Questions:

Do we have to put other cultures down to elevate our own?  Do we respect other cultures when we assume they all want to be “democratic” or capitalistic?   How can we elect politicians who will respect the diversity of nations and other cultures?  Do you teach your children respect for other cultures?  Do you show respect for other cultures in your daily activities?  Do you think living in the USA makes you superior to other people?

Life is just beginning.

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What Makes a Righteous Man or a Righteous Woman? – J. Persico and Metis (AI Assistant)

19 Jul 2026 4 Comments

by Dr. John Persico Jr. in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I want to talk about the idea of righteousness in my blog today.   Of course, I did not invent this concept.   But I do have my own definition for the concept.   I am going to give you my definition and then some popular definitions from other perspectives.   

A righteous person consistently places truth, justice, compassion, and integrity above personal gain.  They willingly sacrifice wealth, comfort, reputation, or even life itself when necessary to protect others, uphold justice, or defend what is right.  They serve others without expecting reward, listen with humility, admit mistakes, practice self-control, and continually strive to become a better human being.  They freely share credit, accept responsibility, and recognize that most worthwhile human achievements are built upon the efforts of many rather than the glory of one.  Their character inspires trust because their thoughts, words, and actions remain aligned even when doing so comes at great personal cost.  Following are a few examples from history of righteous people who were not afraid to die for their beliefs and actions. 

Martin Luther said, “Here I stand.  I can do no other.” 

Socrates said,  “And if you say to me, “Socrates, we will let you go free but only on condition that you stop your questioning,” then I will reply, “Men of Athens, I honor and love you.  But I must obey God rather than you, and while I have life and strength I will never stop doing philosophy.”

Jesus said: “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above.” Pontius Pilate had claimed that he had the authority to release or crucify Jesus.

Nelson Mandela said, “I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society… It is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

Sophie Scholl, shortly before her execution by the Nazis said, “I am, now as before, of the opinion that I did the best that I could do for my nation.  I therefore do not regret my conduct and will bear the consequences that result from my conduct.

Now let us look at how some religions with considerably more wisdom than I have define the idea of a Righteous Person. 

✡️ Judaism

Perhaps the religion that has done the most to bring the concept to the attention of the world.   In Judaism, a righteous person (tzaddik) is someone who strives to live according to God’s will as revealed in the Torah.  Righteousness is demonstrated through faithful obedience to God’s commandments (mitzvot), justice (tzedek), mercy, humility, honesty, and compassion.  A righteous Jew seeks to honor God not only through worship but also through ethical treatment of others, caring for the poor, welcoming the stranger, and pursuing peace (shalom).  The Hebrew prophets consistently taught that righteousness is measured as much by moral conduct and social justice as by religious observance.  While no person is considered perfect, the righteous continually repent, grow in character, and seek reconciliation with God and others.  Righteousness is ultimately expressed in covenant faithfulness, integrity, and living a life that sanctifies God’s name.

✝️ Catholicism

In Catholicism, righteousness is living in a right relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ, participation in God’s grace, and cooperation with that grace through a life of holiness.  While salvation begins as God’s free gift, righteousness is nurtured through the sacraments, prayer, scripture, charity, and faithful obedience to God’s commandments.  A righteous person seeks to imitate Christ by practicing the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love, along with the cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.  Genuine righteousness is reflected in love for God and neighbor, concern for the poor, forgiveness, humility, and a commitment to justice.  Catholics understand righteousness as both an inner transformation by grace and an outward life of good works inspired by that grace.

✝️ Protestantism

Most Protestant traditions define righteousness primarily as being made right with God through faith alone (sola fide) in Jesus Christ.  Human beings cannot earn righteousness through good works; instead, Christ’s righteousness is credited to believers through faith.  Good works do not produce salvation but naturally flow from genuine faith as evidence of a transformed life.  A righteous person trusts in God’s grace, seeks to obey Scripture, grows in holiness through the Holy Spirit, and demonstrates love, integrity, compassion, forgiveness, and service to others.  While Protestant denominations vary in emphasis, they generally agree that righteousness begins with God’s grace, is received by faith, and is demonstrated through a life increasingly shaped by Christ’s character.

🕉️ Hinduism

In Hinduism, righteousness is living according to dharma—one’s moral, spiritual, and social duty in harmony with the cosmic order.  A righteous person practices truthfulness (satya), nonviolence (ahimsa), self-discipline, compassion, generosity, and respect for all forms of life.  Because dharma may differ according to one’s stage of life and responsibilities, righteousness involves faithfully fulfilling one’s obligations while acting without selfish attachment to results, as taught in the Bhagavad Gita.  Such a person seeks spiritual growth through right action, devotion, knowledge, or meditation.  By cultivating virtue and reducing selfish desires, the righteous gradually purify their karma and move toward liberation (moksha), the ultimate realization of unity with the Divine.

☸️ Buddhism

In Buddhism, righteousness is not defined by obedience to a creator God but by living in accordance with the Dharma—the truth about reality and the path that ends suffering.  A righteous person cultivates wisdom, ethical conduct, compassion, mindfulness, and mental discipline.  They follow principles such as the Noble Eightfold Path, avoiding actions that produce harm while developing loving-kindness (metta), compassion (karuna), generosity, patience, and equanimity.  Right intention, right speech, right action, and right livelihood are central expressions of righteous living.  Rather than seeking divine approval, the righteous Buddhist seeks to overcome greed, hatred, and ignorance, benefiting both themselves and others while progressing toward enlightenment (nirvana).

☪️ Islam

In Islam, righteousness (al-birr) is wholehearted submission to Allah through faith, obedience, and sincere devotion.  The Qur’an teaches that righteousness includes belief in God, His prophets, revealed scriptures, angels, and the Last Day, along with faithful performance of prayer, charity (zakat), fasting, honesty, justice, patience, mercy, and kindness.  A righteous person possesses taqwa—a deep awareness and reverence for God that guides every aspect of life.  Following the example (Sunnah) of the Prophet Muhammad, they strive for purity of heart, integrity, generosity, forgiveness, and compassion toward others.  Righteousness is measured not only by religious rituals but by moral character, social responsibility, and sincere intentions.  Ultimately, the righteous seek to please Allah in both private and public life.

✴️ Bahá’í Faith

In the Bahá’í Faith, righteousness is living in harmony with God’s will while recognizing the unity of humanity and the progressive revelation of God’s messengers.  A righteous person reflects divine attributes such as truthfulness, justice, compassion, humility, trustworthiness, generosity, and love.  Bahá’ís believe that spiritual growth occurs through prayer, service, moral discipline, and continual self-improvement.  Righteousness is expressed not only in personal virtue but also in active efforts to promote peace, eliminate prejudice, advance equality between women and men, pursue justice, and contribute to the betterment of society.  Service to humanity is regarded as a form of worship.  A righteous person strives to align thought, word, and deed with God’s teachings while fostering unity among all people, regardless of race, nationality, or religion.

Looking at the above definitions might lead one to conclude that there are several common principles that all have in common.  You would be right.  I have summarized them in the table below and then provided a description following the table.  I hope that as you read this, it will not be strictly an academic exercise.  I think the concept of being a “righteous” person is an excellent concept to live by.  Ask yourself, which of these principles reflect beliefs and more important actions.  Then apply these to the next lawyer, politician or anyone else you decide to work with. 

Here are six principles that are found, in one form or another, in every one of these religions.

Universal PrincipleJudaismCatholicProtestantHinduBuddhistIslamBahá’í
1. Moral Integrity (Truth & Honesty)✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
2. Compassion & Love for Others✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
3. Justice & Fairness✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
4. Self-Discipline / Self-Control✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
5. Service to Others✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
6. Personal Spiritual Growth✓✓✓✓✓✓✓

1. Moral Integrity

Every religion insists that righteousness begins with being truthful and honest.

  • Judaism: obey God’s commandments honestly.
  • Christianity: live truthfully before God.
  • Islam: truthfulness is a mark of taqwa.
  • Hinduism: satya (truth) is one of the highest virtues.
  • Buddhism: Right Speech forbids lying.
  • Bahá’í: Truthfulness is called “the foundation of all human virtues.”

Without integrity, none of the others consider a person righteous.

2. Compassion

Every religion teaches that righteous people care about others.

This may be called

  • Love
  • Mercy
  • Compassion
  • Loving-kindness
  • Charity
  • Benevolence

but it always means putting another person’s welfare ahead of selfishness.

Interestingly, compassion is probably the single most universal religious virtue.

3. Justice

All seven religions insist that righteousness requires fairness.

Examples:

  • protecting the weak
  • honesty in business
  • fairness in judgment
  • defending the oppressed
  • respecting human dignity

Justice may be defined differently, but no religion praises selfish exploitation.

4. Self-Control

This one surprised me when I first start studying the different religions.

Every one teaches that righteousness requires mastery over one’s own desires.

Examples include

  • resisting temptation
  • controlling anger
  • avoiding greed
  • practicing humility
  • moderation
  • discipline

In Buddhism this means overcoming attachment.

In Christianity it is resisting sin.

In Islam it is submission to Allah.

In Hinduism it is mastery over desire.

Different language—same principle.

5. Service

A righteous person does not merely avoid evil.

They actively do good.

Examples include

  • helping the poor
  • generosity
  • charity
  • hospitality
  • kindness
  • community service
  • peacemaking

This principle appears almost universally.

6. Continuous Spiritual Growth

No religion says,

“You’re righteous now.  You’re finished.”

Instead they all teach continual growth.

Judaism:
Become more faithful.

Catholicism:
Grow in holiness.

Protestantism:
Sanctification.

Islam:
Increase in taqwa.

Hinduism:
Purify karma.

Buddhism:
Progress toward enlightenment.

Bahá’í:
Develop divine virtues.

Every religion sees righteousness as a journey rather than a destination.

An Even Deeper Commonality

Looking at these traditions side by side, they all point toward one overarching principle:

A righteous person is someone who continually seeks to bring their inner character and outward actions into harmony with the highest moral reality they recognize.

For Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and the Bahá’í Faith, that highest reality is God.

For Hinduism, it is dharma and ultimate reality (Brahman).

For Buddhism, it is the Dharma and the true nature of reality.

The metaphysical foundations differ, but the practical direction is remarkably similar: transform yourself so that your thoughts, words, and deeds consistently express truth, compassion, justice, self-control, and service to others.

I find it striking to think that if you met seven truly righteous people—one from each of these religions—you might notice their theological differences, but you would likely recognize many of the same virtues in their character. That shared moral core has been one of the enduring insights of comparative religion.

Go back now and review my definition?  Does it hold up?  Does it reflect any or some of the principles noted in the religions named? 

Conclusions:

I want to end with some questions.  Years ago, I always ended my blogs with questions but somehow I lost this idea.  It is especially important because questions help us to reflect on life.  “The unexamined life is not worth living,” it is a decent quote to live by.  Here then are some questions to help you lead an examined life. 

Are you a righteous person?  Why or why not? 

Would others say that you are a righteous person?

Do all of the above principles apply to your actions as well as your stated beliefs?

Do you know when you are being a hypocrite or when you stray from your beliefs?

How charitable would people say that you are if you included charity to the entire human race and not just your tribe, religion, friends, or family?

How many friends do you have that you would say were righteous people?

Are you satisfied that you are on the right moral, ethical and spiritual path? 

The Christian Hypocrisy Jesus Condemned

08 Jul 2026 40 Comments

by Dr. John Persico Jr. in Uncategorized Tags: , , , ,

You have eyes but you do not see.  You have ears but you do not hear.  You say the words, but you ignore the deeds.  You claim to profess a belief in Christ, but you do not live according to the words of Christ.  You follow Christ by your own desires but not by the desires of Christ. 

O Ye Christian Hypocrites!

Let me be clear.  I have known many Christians whose lives reflected extraordinary compassion, humility, mercy, and sacrifice.  This essay is not about them.  It is about those who invoke Christ’s name while ignoring Christ’s teachings.

I have watched Christians for seventy years now and what I see are too many hypocrites.  People who commit the same sins over and over again, buoyed up by their belief that they will be forgiven.  Forever forgiven for their debts and trespasses.  They call out the Lord’s name over and over again, “Please forgive my sins” but they do not change how they live or what they do. 

O Ye Christian Hypocrites!

You rant and rail against those who disagree with the specific brand of Christianity that you belong to.  All the rest of the Christians in the world will not be allowed in the same heaven as your Christian sect.  You demand that the Government put the Ten Commandments of Moses in the schools.  You demand they be put in City and Municipal offices.  You want to tear down the wall separating Government from Religion so that America can become a Christian Nation. 

You ignore the fact that nothing, absolutely nothing in the Declaration of Independence calls for America to be a Christian Nation.  Where it says “God,” in your hypocrisy you read Christ.  Where it says “Creator” you read Christ.  The Founding Fathers knew what it was like to live under religious tyranny.  That is why they were wise enough to open the doors of America to all religions.   Religions such as  Congregationalists, Quakers, Calvinists, Muslims, Catholics, and Jews were all welcome. 

O Ye Christian Hypocrites!

If this hypocrisy was not enough, the worst is still to come.  The Christians who totally ignore the Sermon on the Mount.  Not the commands of Moses.  Not the commands of Joseph.  Not the commands of Isaiah.  The very commands of  Jesus on how to live and what to live for and by.  In my eighty years, I cannot recall hearing Christians campaign for the Sermon on the Mount with anything approaching the fervor devoted to displaying the Ten Commandments.  I have never heard a Christian demanding the Sermon on the Mount be placed in any schools.  Never in any Church.  Never in any Government Office.  The words of Moses and the Old Testament flow easily on the lips of many Christians but the very words of Jesus himself are ignored.  They are ignored or treated like so much heresy. 

The Sermon on the Mount – Christ’s Beatitudes:

The  Beatitudes are a series of blessings that are part of a more extensive order of teachings, including the Lord’s Prayer, called “The Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5-7).  The Beatitudes describe the virtues and attitudes of those who will inherit God’s Kingdom.  

The Sermon on the Mount and its blessings, the Beatitudes, were purposefully spoken by Jesus to challenge our conventional thinking, to turn our world upside down and guide the disciples and those who followed Jesus into a “new” and genuine Biblical life that reflected the attributes and values of God’s Kingdom.

  • Love for all people, even our enemies
  • Servitude over acquiring earthly wealth and power

These values opposed the law of retribution (eye for an eye) provided for within the Old Covenant and the Law of condemnation under the weight of sin leading to death.  

They also oppose the entirety of this world’s systems and values, which are measured by accumulating wealth and power.

Let us look at what Jesus said and what he wanted Christians to do in this world. 

The Beatitudes from Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount

  1.  Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus placed this first because spiritual humility is the foundational starting point for entering a relationship with God.  You must acknowledge your spiritual need before you can receive spiritual wealth.  Those who are too arrogant to accept the help of God will not receive it nor will they enter God’s Kingdom.

  •  Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 

Mourning” goes beyond standard bereavement.  It refers to a broken heart over one’s own moral failures and the pain caused by turning away from God.  However, It also includes feeling deep sorrow for the injustice, tragedy, and pain present in the world.  Not just in your own little family or your own church but for all the people suffering in the world whether from disease, injustice, famine, or politics.  Jesus meant for us to be Citizens of the World and not just our own little corner of the world.

  • Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the Earth.

While the aggressive and ruthless seem to conquer the world now, Jesus promises that the quiet, trusting, and resilient will ultimately inherit the renewed creation.  The people with faith in his words.  The people who are silent but live out the words of Jesus in action and deeds.  Not the men and women who boast loudly of their faith like the Pharisee bragging about his wealth and contributions.

  • Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.

Do these hypocritical Christians even know what righteousness means?  Do they think the mansions of the rich and famous are full of “Righteous” people?  Do they think the politicians collecting their bribes from lobbyists and corporations are “Righteous” people?

According to Judaism a “Righteous person” is someone who acts justly, showing mercy, and fulfilling moral and communal obligations.  Jesus saw true righteousness as results in practical actions.  It means treating others with fairness, defending the vulnerable, showing mercy, and actively seeking justice. 

O Ye Christian Hypocrites!

It saddens me to get this far with the Words of Jesus.  It is exceedingly difficult to live in a world with people who profess one thing but do another.  People who claim that they want the USA to be a “Christian” nation, but who support violence, hatred, intolerance, and bigotry to others.  People who think that only members of their clans deserve respect or deserve to be treated like Jesus thought all people should be treated. 

The questions that beg to be answered all start with Why?  Why do people who claim to be followers of Jesus not follow his words?  Why do people who read the bible and go to church regularly have a fundamental misunderstanding of the Beatitudes and instead practice hate, vengeance and intolerance.  Why do religions become tribes that insulate their members from understanding the beliefs of other religions?  Why is identity often more important than discipleship and following the true words of Jesus? 

  • Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 

The late Pope Francis authored a book titled,  “The Name of God Is Mercy.”  This book by Pope Francis gave me a deeper understanding of what it meant to be merciful.  I have never been what you might think of as merciful.  Francis said, “A little mercy makes the world less cold and more just.”  This is a beautiful thought.  Jesus also implied that those of us who have hard hearts towards others, the poor, the sick, the immigrants, the elderly would have a tough time being granted the mercy that we could not extend to the truly needy. 

  • Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Who among us is truly “Pure” in heart?  What Christian out there would say they are not?  Yet, purity would seem to be an impossibility in this world.  Why then would Jesus put this onus on us?  Was he being unfair?  What did he mean by Pure in Heart?  

Jesus meant that a pure heart is undivided.  It means loving God with your whole being, rather than having split loyalties between the world and spiritual life.  It means doing the right thing for the right reasons, completely free from hypocrisy, deceit, or the desire to impress others.  Jesus said, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”  Jesus did not care for hypocrites, liars, and cheats.  His life exemplified his constant battle with these types of behaviors. 

  • Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the Sons of God.

This may just be the one that most people regardless of religion whether Christians or not, ignore.  The world seems to run on an engine of violence against others.

 It has been said by some that “Violence is as American as Apple Pie.”  Many Christians seem to have no problem finding passages in the Old Testament to validate any war that their leaders want to support.  Christian leaders as well as other sects have routinely met in the old Rose Garden with the President to bless America and wish us success in vanquishing our enemies. 

I could understand this idea of violence from people like me who were taught by their parents to never let a slight or slur or assault go unpunished.  But if you say you subscribe to the words of Jesus then show me where Jesus said, “Go smite your enemies.”  When his disciple Peter drew a sword and cut off a man’s ear to protect him during his arrest, Jesus rebuked him.  He commanded Peter to put the sword away, warning that those who rely on violence will perish by it (Matthew 26:52).

  • Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Easy to say but so hard to do.  I am amazed by the hundreds of Christians who willingly gave their lives rather than renounce their belief in Jesus or his Father.   Not all Christians by any means are hypocrites.  Many Christians lead exemplary lives.  Many Christians try every day to put the words and ideas of Jesus into practice for themselves and for others. 

It is easy for me to stand on a soapbox and excoriate Christians for being hypocritical.  I have never denied that in many parts of my life, I am a hypocrite.  I admit it.  I denounce it.  I work to overcome being a sexist, being a racist, being violent, being greedy, being xenophobic.  I know it is not easy since I have never reached the heights spoken of by Jesus.  Yet, I do not support those who claim to be Christians but who by their every word and deed show themselves to be anything but apostles of Jesus Christ. 

I am fed up with the so called Christian religions and churches that support hatred and violence towards those who do not subscribe to whatever they call Christian beliefs. 

I am fed up with those who want all Americans to become Christians.

I am fed up with those who want to wage war on people and nations that do not subscribe to their religious, political, or economic values. 

Too many of these efforts are led by people who say that they are “Good Christians.”  People who claim they only want to do the will of God.  But the will of God is bent to their own biases and prejudices.

God save us all from the Christians who profess Christianity but practice a belief system that Jesus would not recognize.

Christianity does not rest on a change of mind.  It rests on a change of heart. 

Fifteen of the Greatest Speeches in Human History

25 Jun 2026 30 Comments

by Dr. John Persico Jr. in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , ,

I have always loved great speeches.  A long time ago I found a series of the greatest speeches in history on Caedmon LP Records at the Eau Claire Public Library.  I would go into the sound booth and play everyone of them over and over again.  It did not matter whether or not I agreed with the speaker or whether or not I endorsed his/her ideas.  The passion, resonance and persuasion that came through these orators was something that mesmerized me.  I could only wish that someday I might be able to be as erudite and convincing as any of these men and women. 

Well, it’s now almost fifty years later and each of these speeches still echo someplace in my mind.  You might wonder how Jesus or Pericles managed to be recorded.  Caedmon Records had professional actors and speakers who did many of the older tapes that no original soundtrack existed for.  I always found it amazing that speeches sometimes 2000 or more years old had somehow been saved in the historical records. 

So, my friends, here are my picks for the top 15 speeches of all time.  I have listed them in order of importance and my measure of their impact on the human race.  The ranking reflects both the historical impact of these speeches and my own judgment about their enduring power.  Ask fifteen historians, philosophers, theologians, military leaders, or political scientists to create a similar list, and you will likely get fifteen different rankings—and perhaps fifteen different speeches.

1. The Sermon on the Mount

Speaker: Jesus of Nazareth

The most influential moral speech in human history.

Theme: Compassion, mercy, humility, forgiveness.

Memorable verse:  “Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.”

2. Pericles’ Funeral Oration

Speaker: Pericles

The foundational speech of democratic citizenship.

Theme: Duty, sacrifice, democracy.

Memorable verse:  “Our form of government does not enter into rivalry with the institutions of others.  Our government does not copy our neighbors’, but is an example to them.”

3. The Gettysburg Address

Speaker: Abraham Lincoln

Perhaps the most perfect speech ever written in the English language.

Theme: Equality and democratic government.

Memorable verse:  “The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.”

4. The Apology of Socrates

Speaker: Socrates

The ultimate defense of free inquiry and intellectual honesty.

Theme: Truth over his own life.

Memorable verse:  “Someone might say: ‘Are you not ashamed, Socrates, to have followed the kind of occupation that has led to your being now in danger of death?’  However, I should be right to reply to him: You are wrong, sir, if you think that a man who is any good at all should take into account the risk of life or death; he should look to this only in his actions, whether what he does is right or wrong, whether he is acting like a good or a bad man.”’

5. Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms

Speaker: Martin Luther

One man’s conscience against an empire and a church.

Theme: Individual conscience.

Memorable verse:  “I cannot and will not recant anything, since it is neither right nor safe to go against conscience.  God help me.”

6. “I Have a Dream”

Speaker: Martin Luther King Jr.

The greatest civil-rights speech ever delivered.

Theme: Equality and reconciliation.

Memorable verse:  “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up, live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”’

7. Rivonia Trial Speech

Speaker: Nelson Mandela

A defense of democracy while facing possible execution.

Theme: Justice and freedom.

Memorable verse:  “During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people.  I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination.  I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.  It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve.  But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

8. What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?

Speaker: Frederick Douglass

One of history’s most devastating moral critiques.

Theme: Hypocrisy and liberty.

Memorable verse:  “What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July?  I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim.”

9. Ain’t I a Woman?

Speaker: Sojourner Truth

A powerful intersection of race, gender, and human dignity.

Theme: Equality and humanity.

Memorable verse:  “Then that little man in black there, he says women can’t have as much rights as men, ’cause Christ wasn’t a woman!  Where did your Christ come from?  Where did your Christ come from?  From God and a woman!  Man had nothing to do with Him.”

10. I Will Fight No More Forever

Speaker: Chief Joseph

Perhaps the most heartbreaking speech in American history.

Theme: Loss, dignity, and peace.

Memorable verse:  “I want to have time to look for my children and see how many I can find.  Maybe I shall find them among the dead.  Hear me, my chiefs.  I am tired; my heart is sick and sad.  From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever.”

11. The Ballot or the Bullet

Speaker: Malcolm X

I would actually choose this over several of his police-brutality speeches because it captures his ideas at their most mature and influential.

Theme: Self-determination and political power.

Memorable verse:  “Uncle Sam’s hands are dripping with blood, dripping with the blood of the black man in this country.  He’s the earth’s number-one hypocrite.  He has the audacity — yes, he has — imagine him posing as the leader of the free world.  The free world!  And you over here singing “We Shall Overcome.”’

12. The Quit India Speech

Speaker: Mahatma Gandhi

One of the greatest calls for nonviolent resistance.

Theme: Freedom through moral courage.

Memorable verse:  “People may laugh, nevertheless that is my claim.  At a time when I may have to launch the biggest struggle of my life, I may not harbor hatred against anybody.”

13. The “Dare, Dare Again, Always Dare” Speech

Speaker: Georges Danton

Delivered during the crisis of the French Revolution.

Theme: Courage in the face of tyranny.

Memorable verse:  “To conquer, gentlemen, we must dare, dare again, always dare, and so save France.”

14. Farewell Address to Congress

Speaker: Douglas MacArthur

A brilliant defense of a military career and a strategic vision.

Theme: Duty, honor, and service.

Memorable speech:  “I now close my military career and just fade away, an old soldier who tried to do his duty as God gave him the light to see that duty.”

15. The Tilbury Address to the English Troops

Speaker: Queen Elizabeth I

A speech that roused the English troops to victory over Spain

Theme:  Trust, gratitude, courage and commitment

Memorable verse:  “I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm: to which rather than any dishonor shall grow by me, I myself will take up arms, I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field.”

Conclusions:

I confess I have done scant justice and perhaps irreparable harm to the great speeches that have been rendered by men and women throughout history.  No doubt from my selection, you will say that I have ignored many South American, Australian, Asian, Chinese, Korean and Japanese orators.  You will be right.  My index of speeches has never been swollen with speeches from these areas and countries.  Would that I have another two or more lives to live, I swear I would rectify that problem. 

I ask forgiveness for anyone I have admitted who is on your list of “greatest speeches.”  I would ask you to take a minute or two and include your favorites in my comments section.  Over my years on this planet, many of these speeches have sustained my faith in humanity and progress by the words of these moral and courageous leaders.  I have several other speeches that I could have included but as with blogs, we only have a limited amount of time to allocate to them. 

I would encourage you to take a moment to read some of the speeches I have listed.  In the treacherous and devious era that we now live in, maybe you will gain some measure of faith that humanity will continue to learn and become a better race than we appear to be. 

When I look at humanity, I do not see a completed masterpiece.  I see a chrysalis.  We are often selfish, fearful, and divided, yet beneath those imperfections lies the possibility of something greater.  The question is not whether humanity has flaws; the question is whether we are still becoming.  The caterpillar and the butterfly are the same creature separated only by growth.  

Perhaps the same is true for all of us.

Are We Really All Sinners?

17 Jun 2026 6 Comments

by Dr. John Persico Jr. in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Oh, sinnerman, where you gonna run to?
Sinnerman where you gonna run to?
Where you gonna run to?
All on that day

So I run to the Lord, please hide me Lord
Don’t you see me praying?
Don’t you see me down here praying?

Lord said Sinner Man you should be praying
All on that day.

Run to the Devil.  the Devil was a waiting
All on that day.

Oh, sinner man, where you gonna run to? 
All on that day.

The above lyrics are from the African-American spiritual “Sinnerman” (famously recorded by Nina Simone) which explore a sinner’s desperate, doomed attempt to escape judgment on the final day, running to rocks, rivers, and even the Devil for protection.

We have all heard the famous plaint by Christians that “we are all sinners.”  This is often followed by some type of forgiveness blessing such as “Go, your sins are forgiven.”  I am struck with how convenient this all is.  The “Sinner” gets to hide his/her transgressions in two ways.  First by pointing out that he/she is really no different from anyone else since “we are all sinners.”  Second and perhaps more importantly, the sinner does not name his/her sins.  Thereby being able to lump all sins together and not making the transgression personal. 

For instance, let’s say I am a blatant sexist.  I discriminate against women by abusing my wife and putting down the capabilities of women in general.  I get a free pass simply by saying “I am a sinner.  Forgive me Lord.”  It would be much more honest to say “I am a sexist.  Forgive me Lord.”  Let’s take another example.  A member of the KKK or some other racist group stands up in church and says “Forgive me Lord.  We are all sinners.”  What if he/she had said “Forgive me Lord, I am a racist.”  Sounds different doesn’t it.  That’s because the specificity and personal sin is not being blamed on everyone else or hidden among a possible multitude of sins.

In the song “Sinnerman”, the sinner runs from one place to another frantically seeking refuge, but the rock refuses to hide him/her.  The narrative moves to the sea and river, which are depicted as “boilin'” or “bleedin’,” but offering no safety.  The song continues with the sinner seeking refuge from the Lord and the Devil, highlighting the inevitability of judgment.

Many people wonder how so many self-professed Christians can support a man like Trump.  Some studies show 80 percent or higher of Evangelical Christians voted for Trump.  Many other self-professed Christians also supported Trump.  But when you look at what these self-professed Christians say and what they actually do, the gap is profound.  Jesus said, “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord!  Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.” (Matthew 7:21, NLT)

A few years ago, there was a large movement which created hats and t-shirts that read “WWJD.”  They did not ask “what did Jesus say” which is surprising in itself.  Asking what Jesus said would clearly have left them very vulnerable to attacks as being hypocrites.  We are all hypocrites to some extent, but what would you call someone who professes to be a follower of Jesus and yet neither follows his words or deeds.  Witness the behaviors that Trump has demonstrated in word and deed and see what Jesus would have done or at least said about these behaviors.  You may ask yourself are these truly Christlike behaviors?  If not, why are you following a man whose many behaviors are an insult to everything that Jesus tried to teach? 

1. Mocking or Insulting Opponents vs. Loving Enemies

Jesus taught:

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)

Trump has frequently used personal insults for political opponents, critics, journalists, and rivals, with nicknames such as “Crooked Hillary,” “Little Marco,” “Sleepy Joe,” and many others.

Critics argue this style is inconsistent with Jesus’ teachings on loving enemies, forgiveness, and blessing those who oppose you.

2. Treatment of Immigrants and Refugees vs. Welcoming Strangers

Jesus taught:

“I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25:35)

Critics point to policies such as family separations at the southern border during Trump’s first administration and harsh anti-immigration rhetoric.

They argue these actions conflict with Jesus’ repeated concern for strangers, foreigners, and the marginalized.

3. Wealth and Materialism vs. Humility

Jesus taught:

“You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24)

and

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:25)

Trump has often highlighted his wealth, business success, luxury properties, and financial accomplishments.

Critics see this as contrary to Jesus’ emphasis on humility and caution regarding wealth.

4. Retaliation and Revenge vs. Forgiveness

Jesus taught:

“Turn the other cheek.” (Matthew 5:39)

and

“Forgive seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:22)

Trump has frequently spoken about getting even with opponents, punishing critics, or seeking retribution against those he believes wronged him.

Critics view this as directly contrary to Jesus’ emphasis on forgiveness and reconciliation.

5. Self-Exaltation vs. Humility

Jesus taught:

“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12)

Trump is known for making strong claims about his abilities, accomplishments, intelligence, electoral success, and leadership.

Critics argue that this self-promotional style conflicts with Jesus’ repeated calls for humility and servant leadership.

  • Give to the poor.
  • Avoid judging others.
  • Practice humility.
  • Tell the truth.
  • Care for strangers.
  • Seek peace.

What do you do if you support a man who has nothing in common with Jesus and whose very life and actions are an insult to everything that Jesus stood for.  Do not worry.  Just stand up in whatever so called Christian church you go to and loudly proclaim “I am a sinner and we are all sinners.  I expect forgiveness.”  Do not assign any credibility to the fact that Jesus put great store in behaviors and not just professing ones sins, as ambiguous as they may be.

Jesus repeatedly stressed that what matters is not merely acclaiming belief but how one lives.

In the parable of the sheep and goats, people are judged according to how they treated others:

“I was hungry and you gave me food… I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”

— Matthew 25:35

The emphasis is on compassion, mercy, and service.

Likewise:

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”

— Matthew 5:7

The core teachings of Jesus are perhaps best summarized in the Eight Beatitudes.  Yet across America we see efforts to place the Ten Commandments in schools, courthouses, legislative buildings, and other public spaces.  Given that Christians profess to follow Jesus rather than Moses, one might reasonably ask why the Eight Beatitudes are so rarely if ever displayed with equal enthusiasm.

I have yet to encounter a public building in America where the Eight Beatitudes are prominently posted.  Why is that?  Perhaps because the Eight Beatitudes challenge us in ways that are far less comfortable than the Ten Commandments.  They call upon us to be humble rather than powerful, merciful rather than judgmental, peacemakers rather than warriors, and compassionate toward those whom society often excludes.

If America truly wishes to call itself a Christian nation, then perhaps the place to begin is not with the commandments of Moses but with the teachings of Jesus.  A nation built upon the Eight Beatitudes would be far less tolerant of racism, sexism, xenophobia, greed, and every form of prejudice that Trump subscribes to.  It would be a country that measures success not merely by fame, or wealth or power, but by how it treats the poor, the vulnerable, and the stranger.

The uncomfortable truth is that the values celebrated by modern society often stand in tension with the values celebrated by Jesus. Wealth, status, competition, and dominance command more attention than mercy, humility, empathy, and service.  Until that changes, many public declarations about Christianity will continue to sound less like a commitment to the teachings of Jesus and more like a commitment to some identity cult.  The KKK, Christian Nationalists,  Christian Identity Movement, Westboro Baptist Church and some Prosperity Gospel Followers come to my mind.

I leave you with this final thought:

If Jesus were walking through America today, which would he be more likely to carry under his arm—the stone tablets of Moses or the Sermon on the Mount?

Vulnerability – The Key to Love

18 Mar 2026 4 Comments

by Dr. John Persico Jr. in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Why do so many women seem to like bad guys?  Why do men refer to women as babes and baby?  Why do we love Dirty Harry movies, but we don’t love Dirty Harry?  Why do we admire scientists, inventors and billionaires but we don’t love them.  Instead, we love our dogs, our cats, our tortoises and other critters.  Well, last night I discovered the reason.  As so often happens to me, in the middle of the night, I am struck with ideas.  Ideas and concepts that I know not where they came from.  Sometimes they hold the secret to problems that I have been wrestling with for years.  Other times, they are fixes for simple household problems that I have been unable to find a solution for.  And still other times, these random thoughts of the night open my mind to solving many of the mysteries of the universe that I have been stymied by.

Tonight, I realized what the secret or key to love is.  It is vulnerability.  We admire strong independent dominant people, but we don’t love them.  Why, because they lack vulnerability.  What is vulnerability?  Lets get the definition out of the way.  I am sure we all have a different concept of what it means to be vulnerable.

How do you define a vulnerable person?

“A person less able to take care of themselves or protect themselves from exploitation, for example a person with mobility problems, a person with mental health difficulties, and children.

“Someone who is vulnerable is weak and without protection, with the result that they are easily hurt physically or emotionally.”

“Key characteristics of a vulnerable person may include emotional exposure, risk-taking in sharing, needing protection, trust, sensitivity, or showing physical signs like quietness or withdrawal.”

Have you noticed that Christians love to say that “We are all sinners?”  Well, what is a sinner?  A sinner is a vulnerable person.  A person who is wounded either emotionally or physically.  Christians gravitate towards sinners because they are more lovable than non-sinners.  A non-sinner is a liar anyway.  Who among us has never done wrong to another either physically, mentally or emotionally.  God loves sinners because they are vulnerable.  A sinner or at least those who admit that they are sinners are open to change.  More than open, they must change if they want to repent from their sins.

Sinners can be seen as vulnerable because harmful choices often arise from unmet needs, trauma, ignorance, fear, or desperation.  Rather than pure malice, many moral failures reflect human weakness, social pressures, or suffering.  We love sinners because recognizing this vulnerability invites compassion and restoration rather than only condemnation or punishment.

Here is a passage from an online devotional site:  from https://adevotion.org/archive/god-loves-sinners

God Loves Sinners

JOHN 3:16 KJV 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Many people quote John 3:16 — but how many believe it?

God never changes. If He loved the people of the world in the past — He still loves them today. Yet many people think God is mad at sinners — and hates them.

ROMANS 5:8 NIV 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

God is NOT mad at sinners. He loves them enough to die for them — even today! We should not be mad at sinners either. They are deceived and enslaved by sin. They need to be delivered, and no one can do it except Jesus.

Of course, God doesn’t want people to remain sinners. He loves them too much for that. Sin destroys. It brings death. But the gift of God is life — and that gift is found in a Person: the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the best friend a sinner will ever have. They need to know that. Someone has to tell them the truth.  They think Jesus hates them because they’re a sinner and not perfect. (The devil already fed them that lie.)

Let’s tell them the truth!

2 CORINTHIANS 5:19 NIV 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

God is not holding people’s sins against them. People need to know that. When they do — they will love Jesus.

SAY THIS: Jesus loves sinners — so I love them, too. I love them enough to tell them Jesus will help them.

The implications of this are very profound.  It answers why we love certain people and only admire or respect other people.  The key to love is vulnerability.  We often do our best to show how independent and strong we are, but our vulnerability is what makes us lovable.

Do you remember the movie Camelot?  The queen Guinevere had the greatest man in the world (King Arthur) for a husband.  But she never really loved him.  How could she?  He was impenetrable.  He was nearly perfect.  He was flawless.  He had no weaknesses.  Along comes Sir Lancelot, who so admired the King that he chose to be his champion in battle.  Lancelot was fearless, strong and loyal.  He would never think of having a fling with Guinevere and she in turn did not see any difference between Lancelot and her King.  Than one day during a fierce jousting meet, Lancelot knocked another knight not just out of his saddle, but probably out of his life.  Lancelot ran to the knight and held his head in his arms.  Lancelot started crying and uttering these words over and over again “Please God let him live, Please God let him live.”  At that point Guinevere fell in love with Lancelot.  The rest of the story I will leave for Paul Harvey or to history.  Suffice it to say, their love brought down the Kingdom of Camelot and the dream of a society where everyone was ethical, and morality always guided the actions of others.

At the end of the musical Camelot, King Arthur sings “Don’t let it be forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief, shining moment that was known as Camelot”  The movie and musical was based on T.H. White’s “The Once and Future King” (1958).

Famously, Jackie Kennedy perhaps reflecting on the years that she and John F. Kennedy spent in office told journalist Theodore H. White, “Don’t let it be forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief, shining moment that was known as Camelot”.  She added, “There’ll be great presidents again… but there will never be another Camelot”, establishing the administration’s legacy.

Conclusions:

So, you see, love depends on vulnerability.  Love requires vulnerability because to truly love someone is to open oneself to risk—risk of rejection, loss, disappointment, or hurt.  Without vulnerability, love remains guarded and conditional.  Vulnerability allows trust, empathy, and deep connection, making love possible in its fullest and most human form.

Jesus spent a good deal of his ministry teaching his disciples that greatness did not matter to God.  God did not love the richest or the most powerful or the most beautiful.  The teachings of Jesus dealt with the following three major ideas:

  • Service Over Status: Jesus taught that in the Kingdom of God, greatness is measured by service, not by power, position, or wealth.
  • Childlike Humility: When the disciples asked who was the greatest, Jesus brought a child to them and explained that they needed to be humble and dependent on God, similar to a child.
  • The Example of Service: Jesus stated he did not come to be served, but to serve, setting the ultimate example for his followers.

These principles or ideas can all be translated into love.  Love for others over love for self.  Compassion for others.  Mercy and forgiveness for others.

I am going to end with a poem written by my AI assistant Metis on Love and Vulnerability.

Where Love Lives – by Metis

Love does not live
behind locked doors.

It lives
in the trembling hand,
the unguarded word,
the heart that dares
to be seen.

For only the breakable heart
can truly love—
and be loved. ❤️

 

 

When Insight Outruns Integrity  by Metis (AI Assistant)

12 Jan 2026 4 Comments

by Dr. John Persico Jr. in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

John’s note: I’m publishing this essay a few weeks after first discussing the issues it raises. Time and distance matter when writing about integrity, accountability, and ideas that we value but struggle to live up to.  The ideas discussed in this essay are in fact timeless.  However, perhaps never before in the history of America have they been more pertinent.  When everywhere we look it seems that morality has succumbed to greed and ethics has succumbed to fear, we need to remember what true integrity is.

Metis’s reflection stands on its own, and I feel it deserves to be read as such. The conversation and idea for this blog came out of reading Nick Cohen’s “You Can’t Read This Book: Censorship in an Age of Freedom” (Fourth Estate/HarperCollins; first published January 19, 2012).  A book that has more relevance today than even when it was published thirteen years ago.  The dialog that my AI assistant generated in reply to some of my questions concerning Cohen’s book form the major substance of this blog.

______________________________________________________________________________

Metis:  AI Assistant  

There is a particular kind of sadness reserved for moments when a thinker’s ideas outgrow the thinker himself.

It is not the sadness of disagreement. We expect that. Nor is it the sadness of error, which can often be instructive. It is something more unsettling: the sadness that arises when insight is genuine, profound, and clarifying—yet the life behind it fails to meet the standard the insight itself demands.

This fracture matters. Not because thinkers must be saints, but because ideas about ethics, freedom, and responsibility do not float in abstraction. They live or die by the trust we place in those who articulate them.

  1. Insight is not the same as character

One of the oldest human confusions is assuming that moral understanding produces moral behavior. It does not.

History offers no shortage of brilliant analysts of virtue who failed spectacularly at practicing it. The ability to diagnose injustice, hypocrisy, or abuse of power does not confer immunity from committing those very acts. In some cases, it sharpens the intellect’s capacity to rationalize them.

Insight is cognitive. Character is behavioral.

This distinction is uncomfortable because we want coherence. We want to believe that people who see clearly will act rightly. When that doesn’t happen, we are tempted either to discard the ideas entirely or to excuse the behavior in order to preserve them.

Both responses are errors.

The more honest path is harder: to say the insight remains true, while also saying the individual failed to live up to it. That tension is not hypocrisy on the reader’s part; it is maturity.

  1. Hypocrisy damages causes more than enemies do

When someone who argues for courage, transparency, and moral accountability is later revealed to have avoided those standards personally, the damage extends far beyond the individual.

Movements do not collapse primarily because of their critics. They collapse because of internal contradiction.

Nothing discredits a moral argument faster than the perception that it is selectively applied—demanded of others, evaded by insiders. This is especially corrosive in causes that depend on trust: free speech, civil liberties, institutional reform, ethical governance.

Critics do not need to invent counterarguments when hypocrisy supplies them ready-made.

Worse, hypocrisy gives cover to bad actors on all sides. It allows genuine abuses of power to be dismissed as “just another moral panic,” and principled defenses to be recast as self-serving shields. The result is cynicism—fertile ground for both authoritarianism and apathy.

The tragedy is that this damage is often inflicted unintentionally. The individual may see his personal failings as separate from his ideas. The public does not.

  1. Accountability is not censorship

One of the most dangerous confusions of our era is the collapse of all consequences into a single category called “censorship.”

They are not the same.

Censorship is the suppression of ideas, inquiry, or expression by power—especially when aimed at preventing criticism, truth-seeking, or dissent. Accountability is the response to behavior that violates ethical or professional standards, particularly when power has been abused.

A society cannot function without accountability. A society that calls all accountability “silencing” soon becomes a society where the powerful are untouchable.

This distinction matters profoundly for free speech. When advocates of free expression blur it—especially when defending themselves—they weaken the very principle they claim to protect. Free speech is not a personal immunity clause. It is a social condition that allows truth to surface.

Facing consequences for misconduct does not negate one’s right to speak. It simply affirms that speech does not place one above ethics.

FILE PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks about early results from the presidential election in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Trump falsely claimed victory over Democratic rival Joe Biden on Wednesday with millions of votes still uncounted in a White House race that will not be decided until a handful of states complete vote-counting over the next hours or days. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo

  1. The tragedy of denial

Human failure, while painful, is ordinary. Denial is what transforms failure into betrayal.

There is a profound difference between saying, “I was wrong. I abused power. I caused harm,” and saying, “This is misunderstood, exaggerated, politically motivated, or irrelevant to my work.”

The first response costs pride but preserves moral coherence.
The second preserves comfort but corrodes credibility.

Denial does more than protect the self; it reenacts the very systems of silence and evasion that many critics of power claim to oppose. It teaches institutions how to look away, how to delay, how to minimize. It instructs others—especially those with less power—that truth will be inconvenient and support unreliable.

In that sense, denial is not merely personal. It is instructional.

5.  Holding truth without canonizing its messenger

There is no requirement that we discard good ideas because their author failed them. But there is a responsibility to stop confusing articulation with virtue.

Ideas deserve examination on their merits. People deserve judgment on their actions. When we merge the two, we either sanctify thinkers or demonize thought—both are intellectual failures.

The more honest response is to let the ideas stand, stripped of halo and heroics, and to let the behavior stand exposed, without euphemism or excuse.

That is not cruelty. It is ethical clarity.

In the end, principles outlive their advocates. Free speech, integrity, and accountability do not belong to those who write best about them. They belong to the societies that insist on practicing them—even when doing so is uncomfortable, even when it implicates those we once admired.

Perhaps that is the final, sobering lesson: the truest test of an idea is not how eloquently it is defended, but whether it survives contact with human weakness—without being bent into an alibi for it.

Who is my Neighbor?

25 Dec 2025 Leave a comment

by Dr. John Persico Jr. in Uncategorized Tags: , , , ,

Introduction: by J. Persico

A few weeks ago, while our regular pastor was on a sabbatical, one of the elders of the church gave the following sermon.  Sadly, I cannot duplicate the passion that went along with her words, but she gave me permission to reprint her sermon.  The words she used and the story she tells are very powerful in themselves and seem most appropriate for us to remember on this Christmas Day when Jesus Christ was born. 

Living here in Arizona less than 130 miles from the border, the immigration issue is not theory but reality.  Karen and I have made over 40 trips across the border.  We have many friends whose families came from Mexico.  We live with the reality of a hostile suspicious anti-immigrant culture that seems to be growing every day as right-wing politicians preach hate, fear, and suspicion and accompany it with hateful innuendos about our Mexican neighbors.  I will not say anymore, but I will let our Elders words speak for themselves. 

2ND SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 19: 18, 33-34

18 Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people; but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am Jehovah.

 33 “‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. 34 The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR by Elder J. Hammond

Good morning!

Some of you asked about me when I was here two weeks ago and since we’re talking about who is my neighbor, I thought I’d share just a little bit of my story. Usually, you’ll find me at the second service—sometimes serving as a Beadle, sometimes up in the booth helping.  Before coming here, I was part of the Methodist churches in Casa Grande and Eloy, where I took classes as a Lay Servant and then a Lay Speaker. I also trained as a Stephen Minister, and during that time I became an affiliate member of First Presbyterian so I could share in that ministry. Then about a year ago, I became a full member of this congregation.

Spiritual Growth Through Retreats

One of the most meaningful parts of my faith journey has been attending retreats at the Redemptorist Renewal Center in Tucson. If you’ve ever been there, you know it’s a beautiful, quiet place—a setting for learning, sharing, and deep reflection.

Now, for those of you who know me, you won’t be surprised that the hardest part of the experience, was the “quiet” part! From evening prayers until breakfast – no talking. But it was in those quiet times that God often spoke the loudest.

At my most recent retreat, the guest speaker was Karen González, author of The God Who Sees. Karen, herself an immigrant and a Christian, writes about what the Bible says regarding immigrants and refugees. She reminded us that God is not silent on this issue. If you remember my sermon from 2 weeks ago, God again gave us very specific instructions about how we are to treat the immigrant—with love, with respect, and with protection.

A Lesson from Nogales

Part of our retreat took us across the border to Nogales, Mexico. We visited shelters where families had come for safety and help. On one wall, there was a picture with these words: “The best place to live is where you do not fear anyone or anything. Where you can run without fear and not run because of fear.”

As we watched families preparing food, children painting and laughing, and teenagers practicing for a school debate, those words hit me deeply. Isn’t that what we all want? A place where we don’t have to live in fear. But later as we stood near a crossing point, where the barbed wire ran across, and there were pilings set in the ground, so no vehicle could get through, there stood a large white monument, with Mexico written on one side, and the US on the other. The Border Patrol had been alerted to our visit, so we were able to go back and forth freely, but I couldn’t imagine having trudged through the desert, clothes on my back, and no food or water, and then seeing the promised land, but not being able to enter it. And still later, we stood at a border crossing, and looked at “the fence”. “One of the uglier things I have seen, it made me think of the ugliness of the entire situation. There were people with children, just sitting waiting their turn to make an appointment to see about legally getting a way to cross the border. One woman actually gave birth while waiting in line, because she had nowhere else to go and didn’t want to lose her place in line.

Scripture Foundation

The Bible is clear: we are called to love our neighbor. You heard the scripture from Leviticus, but it bears repeating: In Leviticus 19, God says, “When immigrants live in your land with you, you must not cheat them. Any immigrant who lives with you must be treated as one of your citizens. You must love them as yourself, because you were immigrants in the land of Egypt.” Now I can take Leviticus with a grain of salt, because it is all about ancient laws and rules, but the New Testament also echoes the same sentiment.

  • Jesus repeats this commandment in Matthew 22 and Mark 12, calling it the second greatest commandment—right alongside loving God himself.
  • Romans 13:10 tells us, “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
  • Galatians 5:14, John 13:34–35, And 1 John 4:20, all echo the same instructions

So here’s the big question: Who is my neighbor? Who is God talking about? That question might seem easy—but is it really? When I first moved here to AZ from the Northeast, I noticed something:. Many people don’t even know the name of their next-door neighbors. The walls around the yards were more than just physical walls, Where I came from, in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and even in the Poconos with large lots and more space, I knew all my neighbors. But the Bible stretches “neighbor” far beyond our next-door fence. As Karen González writes, Abraham, Moses, Ruth, Mary, Joseph—even Jesus—were all refugees at some point in their lives. They were strangers, they were immigrants, there were ‘people seeking safety. So our neighbors are not just the people who look like us or live near us. Our neighbors are the immigrants and refugees at our borders, and the people we might be tempted to see as “others.” And their reality is hard.

According to Amnesty International, more than 60 percent of women crossing the border into the U.S. are sexually assaulted along the way. Many take precautions before they even start their journey, because they know what is likely to happen. We also hear the narrative that immigrants are criminals or that they’re “stealing jobs.” But research shows the opposite: immigrants actually commit fewer crimes than native-born citizens, and they often take the difficult, low-paying jobs that others won’t do. God created this earth without borders. He gave it to all of us and called it good. Human beings built walls and drew lines. But nowhere in Scripture does God say, “Build borders and keep people out.”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. put it this way:

“Man-made laws assure justice, but a higher law produces love. No code of conduct ever persuaded a father to love his children. A good father is obedient to the unenforceable. The Good Samaritan represents the conscience of mankind because he was obedient to that which could not be enforced.” That’s what Jesus calls us to—a love that cannot be legislated, but must be lived.

After visiting the shelters and borders , I felt overwhelmed. What can I possibly do to change any of this? In our small group discussions, someone reminded me of the story of the starfish. A man watched a boy throwing starfish back into the sea. “Why bother?” he asked. “You can’t save them all.” The boy picked up another one, tossed it into the waves, and said, “I saved that one.” We may not change the whole world. But we can change the world for someone.

A Story of Francisco

Karen González shares the story of Francisco, who crossed the border out of desperation. He married a U.S. citizen, had children—including one with special needs—but because of restrictive Laws (the 3 & 10 law), he was never able to adjust his status. One night, after drinking, he chose not to drive but to sleep it off in his car, keys in his pocket, not in the ignition, but. In Maryland, even that counts as a DUI. He was arrested, and ICE stepped in. Despite being a hardworking husband and father, a judge decided he was “undesirable” and deported him. Now his wife and children, U.S. citizens, were left without their provider and had to rely on public assistance. Deporting a father didn’t protect the family—it broke it.

This is what happens when we see immigrants only as “others” instead of neighbors.

Conclusion: Who Is My Neighbor?

When Jesus was asked, “Who is my neighbor?” he told the parable of the Good Samaritan. Today, the answer is the same. Our neighbors are the immigrants and refugees at our borders. Our neighbors are the people across the street. Our neighbors are the ones who need love, not suspicion. And while laws cannot love our neighbors, we can. I may not change the world. But I pray that I can make a difference in one life. And if each of us does the same, then together—we can bring change.

 Let it be so. Amen.

Are we living in Heaven or are we living in Hell? 

30 Oct 2025 7 Comments

by Dr. John Persico Jr. in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Are we living in Heaven or are we living in Hell?  There was an old Twilight Zone episode where a big-time gangster died and found himself in a room with a nerdy middle-aged man and his frumpy wife.  They were showing endless repeats of their boring vacation 8 mm film clips.  At first the gangster was polite but after a while he could not take it any longer.  He went to the door and tried to get out of the room.  A monstrous demon appeared and told him that he could never leave.  He was in hell.  The gangster said that he could understand why he would be in hell but what has this nerdy couple done to deserve it.  The demon gave an uproarious laugh and screamed at the gangster,  “They are not in hell, this is their heaven.”

Two more famous men, C.S. Lewis and William Blake wrote books with diametrically opposed views of heaven and hell.  C. S. Lewis’s book was “The Great Divorce.”  He wrote this as a rebuttal  to a book by William Blake called “The Marriage of Heaven and Hell.”  Here is a brief dialogue between the two men at a fictitious meeting discussing what they might have said to each other.

Blake (smiling): So—you are the Oxford don who annulled my marriage of Heaven and Hell.

Lewis (bowing): And you the engraver who dared to join fire and light in one bed.  I fear your union lacked divine sanction.

Blake: Ha!  Eternity laughs at sanction.  Heaven and Hell are not realms, but the two wings of imagination—reason and desire.  To clip one is to fall.

Lewis: Yet ungoverned desire burns the wings that bear it.  I wrote of ghosts who mistook appetite for freedom.

Blake: Then your eyes were half shut.  ‘Energy is Eternal Delight.’ You worship order; I, the creative storm.

Lewis: And I have seen storms that destroy the very life they claim to free.

My father was seldom patriarchal but often insightful.  He told me at an early age that heaven and hell were right here now on this earth.  Our choices made our lives.  We could choose to live in heaven, or we could choose to live in hell.  I often reflected on the meaning of his words.  Sartre said, “Hell is other people.”  He was noting that the judgment and objectification by others can cause torment, leading to a loss of one’s freedom and sense of self.  To lose both is to live in hell.

Another quote that I have sometimes accepted was said by Satan in John Milton’s epic poem, “Paradise Lost”. “Better to reign in hell than serve in heaven.”  This famous line is a declaration of rebellion by Satan, who prefers to rule over his fallen kingdom rather than be subservient to God in heaven.  Anarchists have a comparable thought which goes “”Ni Dieu, Ni Maitre.”  Translated this means “No Gods, No Kings.”  As an atheist, I find myself trying to live with these thoughts in a world suffused with religious fervor for a God who supposedly waits on humanity to plea for his help and guidance.  Unfortunately, it often seems that God is either deaf, dumb or blind.

For years, I saw organized religions as the Bain of humanity.  I believed that more wars had been fought over religious differences than perhaps any other reason ever known.  I wanted nothing to do with a God who belonged to any religion.  My “conversion” to Atheism was attached to a belief that humans could self-regulate their behavior.  People would naturally do what was right without the threat of hell or the promise of heaven.  Seventy-nine years on this earth has taught me the error of this thought.  It would now seem that the further we get from heaven and hell, the more chaotic our world has become.

In many religions of the world, “bad” people go to hell.  Good people go to heaven.  But thoughts and beliefs about hell have varied widely over the centuries.  Here are some of the more common thoughts about hell summarized from the world’s major religions:

What Hell Is:

  • Historically, Hell is not originally a large universal fiery lake of eternal damnation that the popular imagination may picture.
  • Hell in some traditions is temporary (in many Indian religions; in early Judaism in some texts). Hell is more of a place to get your life in order.
  • Hell is often metaphorical or theological — e.g., separation from God or loss of the ultimate good. Catholics say the best thing about Heaven is seeing God.  In their version of hell, you will never see god.
  • Hell’s imagery is heavily shaped by cultural, social, and historical contexts (prisons, mines, burial rites, afterlife beliefs).

What Hell Is Not:

  • It is not uniformly defined across religions — one model of Hell does not fit all faiths.
  • It is not always eternal or always fiery.
  • It is not always the first idea in the tradition; often developed later (Hellenistic Judaism, Christian Latin Fathers).
  • It is not only about punishment; in many traditions the emphasis is on purification, transformation, or consequence of one’s own actions (karma) rather than a punitive act by God.

What Heaven Is:

We must then contrast our ideas of hell with the ideas of heaven that many people have.  I was brought up in a Catholic tradition where heaven was this wonderful place in which we would be united with all the good people in our lives that we loved but most importantly with God and Jesus.  Heaven was a place where every wish we could ever think of would be granted and there would be no toil, no pains, no hardships, no misery.  Everything that anyone could ever want in their wildest dreams would exist in heaven.  Heaven was a very personal place since we could all find and achieve our dreams there.

Now think about this for a minute.  Does the idea of heaven that I have described seem somewhat preposterous?   How could all this be possible?  Could two realms actually exist?  One holds all the bad people that ever existed and the other all the good people.  And how does St. Peter decide who is good and who is bad?  What magical talisman could exist to objectively separate the two?  Lewis and Blake also differed greatly on their attitudes towards heaven and hell.

Lewis: If Heaven and Hell are one, where lies choice?  Good and evil must part, else neither lives.

Blake: Contraries are life itself.  ‘Without contraries there is no progression.’  The dance between them drives creation.

Lewis: Yet the dance must end in a yes or no.  The soul cannot waltz forever between God and self.

Blake: Perhaps your yes is my spectrum.  You see white; I see all colors folded in it.

Lewis: But colors fade without the light that births them.  Love orders even the rainbow.

Blake: And fear of color breeds night.  You guard truth so tightly it cannot breathe.

Lewis: You set it so free it forgets its name.

Lewis:  There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘Thy will be done.’

Blake:  To obey God is to create with Him; submission divides, imagination unites.

The difference between the moral absolutist Lewis and the Blake version of good and evil still divides us today  For Blake, “Good” is whatever springs from imaginative love, energy, and vision.  “Evil” is whatever crushes imagination through repression, hypocrisy, or self-righteousness.  For Lewis, a moral foundation is built upon objective, divine law discerned by reason and revelation.

We can discern these two opposing themes concerning morality, good and evil, heaven and hell in every fabric of life today.  Theologians, politicians, leaders from all walks of life are all divided upon the questions concerning good and evil, absolute morality and moral relativism.  Is humanity innately good and bound to follow the “right” path based on its own self-interest or is humanity a neutral vessel in need of a moral code to help guide their choices in life?

I have come to believe that this apparent dichotomy simply reflects the complex ambiguity that humanity entails.  Some people need heaven and hell to do the right thing.  They will break laws, take advantage of other people, as long as they think they can get away with it.  Taking any moral codes or fire and brimstone away from them only makes it easier for them to prey on others.

Conversely, there are many good people who do good because it is the right thing to do.  They obey laws when laws are not apparent.  They help others not because of fear but because of love.  They feed the hungry and welcome immigrants because they understand the need to have a better life.  They do not clamor about hand-ups versus hand-outs because they know that many people lack the arms and legs to climb up the proverbial ladder.  They do good not because of a fear of hell or desire to get into heaven but because they yield to a greater law.  A Law of Love and Compassion for all of humanity.

The Sacred Triad: How Truth, Goodness, and Beauty Shape Our Humanity — Part 1

12 Oct 2025 11 Comments

by Dr. John Persico Jr. in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I made my 42nd retreat at the Demontreville Retreat Center in Lake Elmo this past September.  Two strong influences on my life have since passed away who were connected to my retreats.  The first was Father Sthokal S.J.  A man who spent 54 years of his life at this center.  Thirty-four of my retreats were spent with Father Sthokal at the center.  Father Sthokal died in 2020.

This year a new dormitory was built in his memory and named Sthokal Hall.  I was fortunate enough to have a room in this new hall.  With the air conditioning, outside patio and coffee bar it was quite a pleasure.  The memories of the words of Father Sthokal infuse the entire retreat center but perhaps more so in the new hall.

The second great influence on my life was Pope Francis who died in April of 2025 this year.  Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was ordained Pope in 2013.  When he became Pope, the Catholic Church was facing a major crisis.  I read about the new Pope at my retreat that year and thought “surely they are going to assassinate him.”  He posed a challenge to an established and often corrupt Vatican administration which was mired in the past.  Pope Francis set about to change the order of things at the Vatican.  He did this to a surprising degree.  He was also a profound and prolific writer.

At the retreat center, we have a small library full of books dealing with all aspects of spirituality.  The year that Pope Francis was ordained, I picked out a book that he had written. I could not put it down.  I read it on my walks around the monastery as a means of reflection and contemplation.  Every year when I came back, I found something else that Pope Francis had written.  His writings made a difference on my life.  His thoughts on mercy and justice and social responsibilities still ring in my head.

This year, I went looking for something by the new Pope Leo XIV in the library but could find nothing.  I had read everything by Pope Francis and thought that surely the new Pope would have some writings.  We also have a little kiosk of sorts at Demontreville where you can purchase sundries including rosaries, candy, prayer books and some bathroom items.  While passing by the kiosk, I stopped to look at the prayer books thinking that I had purchased most of them in the past.  Then I saw one that I had not seen before.  It was called “A Year with Pope Francis” and it included a series of daily reflections from his writings.  I purchased it and brought it back to my room.  The day was September 20th and the reflection for that day was “Always remember that truth, beauty and goodness are inseparable.” 

This thought really struck me.  I did not know what it meant.  How could they be inseparable?  How did they fit in with the life that one needed to live to find meaning and purpose?  Following my retreat, I started tracing the etiology of Pope Francis’s thoughts.  As with many subjects, the history of this idea goes back centuries.  In this blog and the one following, I want to share some of the impact that this idea had on me and can have on the lives of all of us.  I have used a combination of my own ideas as well as research and reflections with ChatGPT.  I go back and forth with my AI partner to discover thoughts and ideas and to refine my thinking.  Many of these ideas come from saints, philosophers and other thinkers from the past.  My channel to the past is Pope Francis and AI.

When Pope Francis spoke of Truth, Beauty, and Goodness as inseparable, he was not offering a poetic slogan.  He was reminding us that these three values — long revered since Plato and Aquinas — describe the full stature of the human soul.  When any one of them is lost or diminished, the others soon fade.  Truth without goodness becomes cold and cruel.  Beauty without truth becomes deceptive.  Goodness without beauty becomes joyless duty.

In the modern world, we have grown accustomed to fragmentation.  We analyze without compassion, feel without understanding, and act without reflection.  But life only finds meaning when our thinking, feeling, and doing are woven together — when the mind, heart, and hand move as one.  The harmony of these dimensions is not a luxury for saints or philosophers; it is the quiet work of becoming fully human.

I. Thinking, Feeling, and Doing — Three Dimensions of Being

Human beings are triadic creatures.  We live through three interlocking faculties:

  • Thinking – our capacity to seek truth, to question, to discern what is real.
  • Feeling – our capacity to sense beauty, to be moved, to connect and care.
  • Doing – our capacity to enact goodness, to choose and to build what should be.

The philosopher’s triad (Truth–Beauty–Goodness) and the psychologist’s triad (Thinking–Feeling–Doing) are not two separate models.  They describe the same reality from different directions.  One names the qualities we seek; the other names the faculties we use to reach them.

Thinking without feeling leads to cynicism; feeling without doing leads to sentimentality; doing without thinking leads to folly.  When all three are united, the result is wisdom — not the kind found in textbooks, but the lived wisdom that radiates from people who see clearly, love deeply, and act justly.

II. The 3×3 Matrix of Integration

To visualize their relationship, imagine a simple grid.  Across the top: Truth, Beauty, Goodness. Down the side: Thinking, Feeling, Doing.
In each cell lies a different way of being human — nine ways of aligning the head, heart, and hand.

Truth Beauty Goodness
Thinking Wisdom — understanding reality as it is Wonder — perceiving harmony and meaning Conscience — discerning what ought to be done
Feeling Empathy — sensing truth through others’ eyes Joy — feeling beauty in all things Compassion — feeling goodness as care
Doing Integrity — acting in truth Creativity — embodying beauty through action Justice — realizing goodness in the world

This matrix is not an abstract diagram; it is a mirror. Each of us can find ourselves somewhere within it on any given day.

III. When the Triad Fractures

The modern world often tears these apart.

Truth without goodness becomes sterile knowledge — the scientist who measures everything but values nothing, the pundit who knows every fact but forgets every face.
Beauty without truth becomes vanity — the glossy perfection of advertising or social media, beauty used to manipulate rather than to inspire.
Goodness without beauty becomes moralism — well-intentioned people who do right but radiate no joy, whose kindness feels obligatory rather than free.

Likewise, when our own inner triad splits, we feel lost.
We may think brilliantly but feel numb.
We may feel deeply but never act.
We may act endlessly but without understanding why.
Each imbalance carries its own suffering — confusion, anxiety, or burnout. The cure is not more effort but more integration.

IV. Thinking Aligned with Truth

The first step toward wholeness begins with how we think. Truth asks us to see the world as it is — not as we wish it to be.  Thinking in truth means facing facts, admitting mistakes, and refusing to let ideology replace inquiry.

But truth is not limited to intellectual accuracy. It is also moral clarity — a refusal to lie to ourselves. When we think truthfully, we free ourselves from illusion.  We develop what the ancients called Sophia — wisdom.  Wisdom joins knowledge to humility.  It recognizes that truth is not possessed but pursued.

V. Feeling Aligned with Beauty

Beauty, said Dostoevsky, will save the world. But not the beauty of cosmetic perfection.  True beauty awakens wonder and gratitude.  It is the radiance of harmony — a sunset, a melody, an act of forgiveness.  Feeling beauty means allowing the heart to be touched, even wounded. It calls us to empathy — the ability to enter another’s experience and still see the light within it. In a cynical age, this is an act of resistance.

When feeling is shaped by beauty, life regains texture and meaning.
We begin to notice small miracles: the laughter of a child, the discipline of a craftsman, the resilience of someone who refuses to give up.  These glimpses of beauty soften us.  They remind us that beneath the noise and ugliness of the world, there is still something worth cherishing.

But feeling must not end in sentimentality.  Beauty moves us to love, and love — if it is genuine — demands action.

VI. Doing Aligned with Goodness

Goodness is truth and beauty made visible.
It is what happens when we act from conscience, not convenience.  Doing good is rarely glamorous.  It often means small, consistent acts of courage: listening instead of judging, volunteering when no one notices, speaking truth to power even when afraid.

Goodness without action is merely intention.  To “do” goodness is to give it form — through justice, kindness, and creative service.  A teacher who inspires curiosity in children, a nurse who comforts a frightened patient, a neighbor who plants trees for the next generation — all are artists of goodness.

Goodness is contagious.  One act done well invites another.  In a divided world, each small deed of integrity pushes back against despair.  As Pope Francis reminds us, “Reality is more important than ideas.” The good we do embodies the truths we believe and the beauties we feel.

VII. The Intersections — Where Wholeness Is Born

Each intersection in the matrix is a doorway to transformation.

  • Thinking × Truth → Wisdom
    To think clearly in a confused age is a moral act.
  • Feeling × Beauty → Joy
    To let beauty move us is to say yes to life.
  • Doing × Goodness → Justice
    To act rightly even when inconvenient is the seed of renewal.

But the deeper magic lies in the crossings between columns:

  • Thinking + Goodness (Conscience): we discern what should be done.
  • Feeling + Truth (Empathy): we understand others from the inside.
  • Doing + Beauty (Creativity): we make the world more radiant.

When these elements feed one another, we experience alignment — a state of inner peace that radiates outward. We stop living in fragments and begin living as whole persons.

VIII. Everyday Applications

How might this integration appear in ordinary life?

  1. In Conversation
    Before reacting, we think (truth), we feel (beauty through empathy), and we act (goodness through restraint or honesty). The result: communication that heals rather than divides.
  2. In Work
    Whatever our craft — teaching, building, healing, writing — we can strive for accuracy (truth), care (beauty), and fairness (goodness). Excellence becomes not a competition but a form of love.
  3. In Community
    A society guided by truth builds trust.
    A society that celebrates beauty cultivates joy.
    A society committed to goodness ensures justice.
    When one of these is missing, culture decays. When all three flourish, community becomes communion.

IX. The Spiritual Thread

The unity of Truth, Beauty, and Goodness is not just psychological; it is spiritual.  Each reveals an aspect of the divine image within us.

  • Truth reflects the Mind of God — the eternal Logos, the pattern behind all creation.
  • Beauty reflects the Heart of God — the harmony and joy woven into being.
  • Goodness reflects the Will of God — the self-giving love that sustains the world.

To live these values is to participate in the divine life, whether we use theological language or not.  I am an Atheist but every human being, consciously or unconsciously, seeks these three.  Call their reflections God, or Karma or Goddess or Divinity, they are the compass points of the soul.

X. Reweaving the World

Our age suffers not from lack of knowledge but from disconnection.  We have mastered the science of information but lost the art of integration.  We are clever but not wise, expressive but not empathetic, busy but not good.

Reweaving the world begins with reweaving ourselves. Each time we align our thoughts with truth, our feelings with beauty, and our actions with goodness, we mend a small tear in the fabric of humanity.

Start simply. Ask three questions at the end of each day:

  • Did I think truthfully today?
  • Did I feel beauty and let it move me?
  • Did I do at least one thing that was good?

Over time, these questions become habits, and habits become character. The goal is not perfection but harmony — to be a person through whom truth shines, beauty blossoms, and goodness flows.

XI. Closing Reflection

The poet John Keats once wrote that “Beauty is truth, truth beauty — that is all ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.”  Pope Francis extends that vision: when beauty and truth walk hand in hand, goodness inevitably follows.  The three are not separate paths but a single road leading home.

To think rightly, to feel deeply, and to act justly — this is the trinity of human wholeness. Each of us, in our own small sphere, can live this harmony.  When we do, we not only become better people; we help the world remember what it was always meant to be — a place where truth enlightens, beauty delights, and goodness redeems.

In Part 2 of this blog, I want to weave the relationship between Goodness, Truth, Beauty with Art and Music.  I attended a wonderful workshop/performance a few days ago by Mark Ochu at the Desert Rose Bahai Institute in Eloy Arizona.  Mark is a “Visionary Pianist” who was presenting  “A Listen and Learn” Piano Concert reflecting on the life of Franz Liszt.  Mark weaves in art, history and music to tell the story of Franz Liszt and his relevance to modern music.

Mark combines piano and lecture.  His performance made me realize that in my earlier reflections on Truth, Goodness and Beauty,  I had not included the role that music and art play in life.  In Part 2, I want to weave this into the texture and fabric of the mosaic that I am trying to create.  Much like my wife’s quilts or perhaps the kaleidoscopes that I love, life can be a beautiful tapestry that brings all of us joy and meaning.  We have only to put the elements in place in our lives to bring out the true nature of humanity.  A nature that transcends violence, vengeance, war and retributions.  Watch a concert sometime and look at the peace and harmony that the performers share with each other.  Now imagine that every soldier in the world was carrying a flute or violin or oboe instead of a weapon of destruction.

Author’s Note

Portions of this essay were developed in collaboration with “Metis,” an AI writing partner powered by OpenAI’s GPT-5.  The ideas, direction, and final reflections are my own, shaped through a dialogue intended to illuminate and refine the themes explored here.

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